Corberan must now offload the West Brom star who earns more than Maja

West Bromwich Albion They will be hoping they can get back to their winning ways championship next Sunday after narrowly losing 2-1 to Watford last time out.

A win in their next encounter against Bristol City at the Hawthorns would see them well-equipped for two days away in quick succession before 2024 is over, with a tough clash against table-topping Sheffield United capping off a busy year.

Although the formulas are coming thick and fast during this bumper Christmas period, Carlos Corberan He is likely to continue selecting Josh Maja to lead the line, who has turned his Baggies career around this campaign.

MAGA tournaments in West Bromwich

Despite firing blanks over his last five games in the tough league, the Spaniard has continued to pick the former Sunderland player, knowing he can find the back of the net in the blink of an eye.

After all, the average clinical age of 25 years was merely abstract 26 touches per game in the Championship this season, but he still has a very impressive goal tally Ten of 20 matches To brag about it.

Although his production in front of goal has dried up recently, he still managed to provide an assist at the start of the month when the Baggies bravely saved a share of the points against the Blades, having linked up with pass king Tom Fellows. Good to tie the game 2-2.

While Maja's space in the side is understandably tangible, the same cannot be said for Grady Diangana anymore, who had begun to fall down the pecking order for Corberan even before his recent injury woes became apparent.

Diangana's future is at West Bromwich

With his contract expiring next summer, it could soon be time for West Brom to have a conversation with Diangana about his future at the Championship side.

Just a glance at his high salary in the Corberan camp is enough to think that a parting of the ways will happen soon, with the Congolese winger receiving a huge wage. A salary package worth £20.3k per week, Which makes him a higher earner than Maja, who earns a surprisingly lower salary of £17,000 a week.

At least with Maja, his form has been well documented this season, while Diangana was struggling even before his injury disaster in November.

Last season in the Championship, the former West Ham United striker earned Seven impressive goals and eight assistsbut has nothing to show for his efforts during a dismal 2024/25 season so far.

Looking at the table above, Diangana was suddenly a stand-in figure for the Baggies, scoreless and without any assists when Corberan unleashed him into action.

Of course, the experienced striker has not been helped by his luck with injuries – as he has now been sidelined since West Brom's trip to Hull City last month – but his lack of game time has not really affected his side in their quest for promotion.

He once dazzled his adoring home crowd with displays full of showmanship, with one of his West Brom team-mates, Jed Wallace, even describing him as “incredible” In retrospect, Corberan doesn't rely on the 26-year-old to be a bright spark anymore, when you also consider that he has Fellows and Mikey Johnston to call the channels.

This January could be the perfect opportunity for West Brom to sever ties with their loyal servant, so, before he is allowed to leave on a free, he may be able to recoup the fee before going full steam ahead to attempt a return to the Premier League.